Luke's Third Birthday

I can't believe Luke turned 3 on April 1st!

Where has all the time gone? It seems to have flown by so fast, but when I reflect back on the day we brought him home from the hospital, I am amazed at how much has changed. We have moved, TWICE. Jeff's parents have since made the monumental move from the East to West Coast, we added another little boy to the mix (Josh!), I have joined the Reserves, Jeff's brother moved in with us...this list could go on and on and on...which brings a verse to mind (by no means do I want to mislead you to believe that I had this exact verse memorized - it took me 20 minutes and a phone call to my husband to nail down which verse it was, specifically, but I had the basic gist...)

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)

That verse is immensely comforting...life is short...so, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Did you hear that? Tomorrow will worry about itself! Isn't that great? It is very easy for me to get caught up in the wondering/dreaming/scary contemplations of tomorrow...especially with Jeff's career decision still undecided, leaving the question of where we will live...how we will eat...etc...Now, Don't think I'm just merrily skipping along thinking "God's got this! I don't have to prepare a thing for our future." Ha! I don't participate in that kind of blissful ignorance!

I know that God has equipped us to deal with the circumstances He has planned for our family and He doesn't expect us to sit around and let life happen...we will prepare as best we can for our uncertain future, and diligently serve Him all the while. This is not an easy thing to do, though. Serving others, in theory, is great and fulfilling, and all that...but giving your time, energy, and attention to others when you are feeling overwhelmed (with 4 boys, 4 college classes and a house to run, let's say) is a SACRIFICE of magnanimous proportions. I must confess: my attitude in the past weeks has not been the best, and definitely not sacrificial in the loosest interpretation. My selfish desires often blind me to others needs, and I truly struggle with the balance. Luckily God is there to bridge the gap - my shortcomings are forgiven; my conscience restored after a prayerful confession and pleading for His grace alone.

Anyway, those are just some of thoughts I wanted to share with you - keep praying and reading your bible! Here is a video of my adorable little 3 year old...listen for the "what?", it's hilarious!